Power Electronics - Senior Staff Thermal Engineer

The Rundown AI, Inc.; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-time employee benefits

Equity options

Bonus eligibility

Job summary

A leading aerospace technology company based in Texas is seeking a Senior Staff Thermal Engineer to lead the design and analysis of aircraft avionics thermal management systems. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, at least 7 years of experience, and a strong grasp of heat transfer principles. This role requires effective communication skills and a passion for solving complex problems in a fast-paced environment. Excellent benefits and competitive salary offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in avionics or electronics thermal engineering.
• Strong expertise in heat transfer and fluid mechanics.
• Proficiency with CAD design tools like NX or SolidWorks.

Responsibilities

• Own thermal analysis and design efforts for unmanned aerial vehicle avionics.
• Develop and validate models for heat transfer and fluid flow.
• Lead cross-functional teams designing power electronic circuits.

Skills

Heat transfer expertise

Communication skills

Fluid mechanics knowledge

Proficiency in CFD tools

Mentoring ability

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

ANSYS Icepak

FloEFD

SolidWorks

Job description

Job Description

Are you a passionate and innovative thermal engineer looking to help develop state-of-the-art aircraft? Are you eager to make a positive difference in the world? Do you want to work alongside mission-driven and values-focused teammates? Shield AI is just the place for you!

As a Senior Staff Thermal Engineer at Shield AI, you will lead the design, analysis, and integration of aircraft avionics thermal management systems. We are designing a high‑voltage, high‑power system using custom power electronics and energy storage. This role is best suited for an engineer who thrives on first‑principles problem solving, is comfortable with ambiguous, open‑ended challenges, and can bridge technical disciplines with strong communication and collaboration skills and the ability to simplify and communicate complex problems. The engineer will be a key contributor in shaping designs, mentoring peers, and ensuring robust thermal solutions that meet mission‑critical aerospace requirements.

What you’ll do

• Own thermal analysis and design efforts for unmanned aerial vehicle avionics including custom power electronics
• Develop and validate analytical, numerical, and computational models for heat transfer and fluid flow using hand calculations and CFD tools such as FloEFD
• Provide technical leadership in trade studies, system architecture decisions, and risk assessments
• Lead cross‑functional teams designing power electronic circuits and environmental enclosures. Provide design requirements that impact circuit part selection, board layout, material selection, and other design aspects
• Drive test planning, instrumentation, and data analysis to correlate models with experimental results
• Mentor junior engineers and guide cross‑disciplinary teams in applying thermal/fluid fundamentals
• Communicate technical findings clearly through executive‑level briefings, design reviews, and written reports
• Proactively identify risks, propose solutions, and influence electrical and/or PCBA design direction

Required qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in avionics or electronics thermal engineering
• Strong expertise in heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation) and fluid mechanics
• Deep understanding of active and passive cooling solutions and their integration at component and system level
• Deep understanding of thermal management design elements including TIMs, spreaders, heat sinks, vapor chambers, heat pipes, and fans
• Proficiency with thermal analysis and CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Icepak, FloEFD, STAR-CCM+)
• Proficiency with CAD design tools such as NX, SolidWorks, or similar
• Demonstrated experience applying first‑principles reasoning to complex engineering problems
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of leading technical discussions and presenting to stakeholders
• Proven ability to learn and adapt quickly to new tools, processes, and technical challenges in a fast‑paced, startup environment

Benefits

• Full‑time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
• Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
• Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part‑time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Shield AI is proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.